Water and Dams in Today's World
Different types of dams (left to right): arch dam, embankment dam, gravity dam, and a buttress dam.Copyright PBS, WGBH, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/dam/challenge/index.html
Students learn about the importance of dams by watching a video that presents historical and current information on dams, as well as descriptions of global water resources and the hydrologic cycle. Students also learn about different types of dams, all designed to resist the forces on dams. (If the free, 15-minute "Water and Dams in Today's World" video cannot be obtained in time, the lesson can still be taught. See the Additional Multimedia Support section for how to obtain the DVD or VHS videotape, or a PowerPoint presentation with similar content [also attached].)
When engineers design dams and other large structures, they calculate the forces expected to act on the structure as well as its potential for reacting to these forces. Different geometries and materials respond differently to the forces created by a dam. As part of the design process, engineers take into consideration information about the intended use of a dam to help them determine the most suitable size and type.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Identify various types of dams.
- Understand the different forces acting on a dam.
- Understand the considerations engineers must make when desinging a dam.